<p>For Amherst it's $10,170:</p>
<p>Is this figure calculated from the entire student body (including those whose parents can pay all expenses) or just from those needing financial aid? I am working class, what can I extrapolate from these stats?</p>
<p>It could include those whose parents are paying, which would thus lessen the average indebteness as they will graduate with $0 debt. That number seems awfully low- I would imagine a higher indebtness with university costs at $40,000 a year. So I would assume it would include everyone.</p>
<p>You need to look at the amount of the average financial aid award.......you need to ask some questions about the award amounts to people with profiles similar to yours. I'd say looking at the average isn't going to give you what you seem to be looking for. You can look at and see what % of students are Pell/SEOG recipients and the total dollars of aid awarded. It takes some digging and calculating but you can get a very good idea of what debt you will need to assume. Don't forget that college involves expenses other than tuition & housing.</p>
<p>*Sybbie has a great post on this thread.*Please rate these schools in the order of thier generosity in giving both merit/need
luliztee</p>